Mini-Soccer Guidance Notes 2011/2012 Season
Alan Crane has put together information for all taking part in Mini Soccer. Please read and digest.
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Under 7 Division
At the moment there are 10 teams in the Under 7 Division and fixtures have been organised on a 12 team fixture pattern with teams playing each other twice – this is to allow space for up to another two teams to be added should any additional teams wish to join the League. As this is a non-competetive age group it is possible to introduce new teams after the season has started without the need to catch-up fixtures which have not been played. It will also mean that until any new teams join there will be two teams most weeks without a fixture, but obviously if they do not want a week off they could arrange to play each other. Fixtures have been scheduled for most weekends up to the end of March and there is a couple of weeks rest either side of the Christmas / New Year Holiday
It may be possible to incorporate new teams into the league at any stage during the season, but if any club is thinking of putting in additional teams as much notice as possible would be appreciated.
Under 8 Division
At the moment there are 18 Under 8 teams in the League and because of the number involved it has been decided to split them into two divisions, Lions and Tigers, with teams in each division playing each other three times. There is no significance in what division teams have been placed into, but where clubs had entered two or more teams there will be at least one in each division.
At the moment each division will have one team without a fixture each week so if they are looking for a game they could arrange a match with the free team in the other division. There are some free weeks in December and January as well as in April and teams may wish to arrange any missed games during this time on the same basis as with the Under 7’s.
As with the Under 7’s, it would be possible to incorporate up to two additional teams which may want to join the League after the season has started.
Fixtures not Played
Although the League does not record or publish results for the Under 7 and 8 divisions, it is still a requirement that Clubs must inform the Registration Secretary if games do not take place as scheduled for any reason – the League must record that games have been played but not the score.
Because the Under 7 and 8 Divisions have to be played on a “friendly” basis, the League will not re-arrange any games which do not get played on their original scheduled date, but clubs can arrange them between themselves, as mentioned earlier, and re-arranged dates could be put onto the web site if Clubs request the Fixture Secretary to do so. Clubs may wish to play missed games in the free weeks in December and January, but consideration must be given to weather conditions, or games could be played during April (except Easter Sunday)
Playing in Other Age Groups
A player who is young enough to qualify for either the Under 7 or 8 Division is not permitted to play in Under 9 or 10 League or Cup games, but Under 7’s may play in an Under 8 game, but not for both on the same day.
Clubs with more than one team at Under 7 or 8
Where a club has entered more than one team in the Under 7 or Under 8 Division, because these leagues are played on a non-competitive basis, they may use players registered for one of those teams in the other without the need for a transfer, but they cannot play in two games on the same day – Craven Minor Rule 10 specifically preventing players taking part in two games on the same day, even if one of those games is not organised by the Craven Minor League.
Reporting of Results
Under FA Rules the League is not permitted to record or request any scores for games played at the Under 7 and Under 8 age groups, but the Mini-Soccer Registration Secretary still needs to receive match record sheets showing who took part in the game, who the managers were and who the referee was. If a scheduled game does not take place and the Registration Secretary has not been informed then a fine may be sent for not having provided a match record sheet.
Under 9
There are 14 teams in the Under 9 Division and this division will be split into two separate divisions of 7 teams in January. If necessary the allocation of teams to their new sub-division may be done based upon estimated results using performance in games played. Dependant upon progress during the first part of the season, which is likely to be subject to the weather, it may be possible for teams to play each other, in their new sub-divisions, twice in he second part of the season, which would mean that final points would be based upon having played each other three times.
All points gained against teams who finish in the same sub-division will count towards the final league trophy positions, including those points gained against teams in the first part of the season.
There will also be the Jim Rourke Cup competition.
Under 10 Division
Because of the large number of teams involved it had been hoped to run the Under 10 Division as two separate divisions from the start of the season. This was based on the fact that several clubs had entered two or more teams and based upon performance from last season it could have produced two competitive divisions. However, following the withdrawal of a number of teams this seemed to be impractical as one division would have been likely to include two teams which were not of a similar standard to the other teams in that division.
As a result it was decided to run the division as an 18 team league up until December and then to split it into two sub-divisions in the same way as the Under 9’s.
Because of the high number of teams it will be necessary for mid week games to be played at the start of the season for the first three weeks. As in previous seasons, there is some flexibility over the days in the week when mid-week fixtures are to be played - teams may agree an alternative day in the same week, but if an alternative day cannot be agreed then the scheduled date must stand. The Fixture Secretary must be informed in advance by e-mail of any agreed changes. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT ONLY APPLIES TO MINI-SOCCER FIXTURES.
There will also be the Wilf Jenkinson Cup and the Charity Shield competitions.
Fixture Clashes and Kick-off times
Because of the varying size of the divisions and also the fact that a number of clubs have two or three teams in some age groups, it is inevitable that there will be times when fixture clashes arise with more than one game scheduled to take place on the same pitch on the same day. Fortunately, with the mini-soccer divisions it is easier to take advantage of the flexibility allowed over kick-off times to overcome any problems (see Rule SS4 in the Rule Book). However, if a pitch is still not available then clubs must liaise with their opponents at the earliest opportunity to check if the game could be played at their ground. If the matter can still not be resolved then the Fixture Secretary must be informed as soon as possible, which should be no later than two days before the game is due to take place.
Please note that clubs must give priority to the more senior game – i.e., Cup games must always take priority over league games and older age groups must take priority over younger, so for instance an Under 10 game cannot be prevented from taking place because the only pitch a club has available is being used by the Under 9’s, unless the Under 9 game is a cup match. (See Rule 10(F)). Fixtures organised by the League must always take priority over friendlies, including Under 7 & 8 fixtures.
Reporting of Results
Mini-Soccer results must be reported to the Mini-Soccer Fixture Secretary (01695 421212) in accordance with the rules. FOR MINI-SOCCER THE PREFERRED METHOD OF REPORTING IS BY TELEPHONE – ALL CALLS WILL BE ANSWERED BY ANSWERPHONE. Results may be left by e-mail if necessary or as well, but these will take longer to process.
THERE IS NO FACILITY TO SUBMIT MINI-SOCCER SCORES BY TEXT MESSAGE
Press Reports
The League welcomes reports on games which will be submitted by the Press Secretary to the local press, particularly in the Mini-Soccer age groups. Reports can be sent to the Press Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Please note that following changes introduced to the Rules by the Football Association, leagues are not permitted to collect results for Under 7 and Under 8 Mini-Soccer and therefore the League will not be able to publish scores or scorers in the press and therefore reports submitted for these age groups should not include the names of scorers or the final score.
Holidays
It is important to note that there is no time set aside within the fixtures, except at Under 7, for holidays other than Christmas/New Year and Easter Weekend, and it is essential therefore that clubs take adequate steps to ensure that they have sufficient players available to meet their fixture commitments and consider the best use of “lives” in accordance with Rule 10(F).
Under 9’s and 10’s should particularly note that there are no breaks scheduled for half-term holidays and therefore teams may wish to consider saving the use of “lives” for those dates when players (or managers) are away – every season clubs seem surprised when people go away on holiday.
Failure to play a fixture because insufficient players or managers are available may result in a charge of non-fulfilment being made against the club, with a resultant fine and loss of points.